Flooding leaves over 200 properties stranded

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. – The Peace River Regional District has activated their emergency operations centre after flooding has left several residents stranded along Highway 97.

During a helicopter flight on Thursday, officials discovered that flooding had left several properties in the Hasler, Dokie, Willow Flats area had been stranded due to damaged roads. On top of that area west of Chetwynd, properties have also been left stranded in the Moberly Lake area.

As of 12 p.m. Friday, the District estimates that 418 properties have been affected by flooding. Of that, 213 are in areas where there are no road access. The other 205 are in areas where residents have been severely affected by flooding.

Another helicopter was also dispatched to the areas southeast of Dawson Creek flying over Rolla, Doe River, Tupper, Tate Creek, Swan Lake and Kelly Lake. There are at least four bridges in the Tupper and Swan Lake area that have been damaged and are not currently passable.

The Regional District believes at least 36 civic addresses are affected.

Another helicopter on Thursday took fuel and generators to Hasler Flats for 20 properties that are stranded. Six Rural residents assessed Emergency Social Services in Chetwynd. One family was flown out from an area that had no road access.

The Regional District will continue to conduct ongoing assessments of stranded residents and help to determine their needs. They are also monitoring monitoring steam flows, road accessibility issues and issues with utility outages.